Written Answers Monday 27 April 2009

Scottish Executive

Alcohol Misuse

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people aged (a) under 15, (b) 15 to 18, (c) 19 to 21 and (d) over 21 were admitted to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary to receive treatment for excess alcohol consumption in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08.

Nicola Sturgeon: Information on patients admitted for excess alcohol consumption is not centrally available. However, information on patients admitted for all alcohol-related conditions is available. The number of patients discharged for all alcohol-related conditions by the specified age groups is shown in the following table.

  Number of patients discharged from general acute hospitals with an alcohol-related diagnosis: patients treated in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary by age group, 2006-07 and 2007-08:

  

Age Group
2006-07
2007-08


Under 15 years
9
23


15 - 18 years
19
28


19 - 21 years
14
12


22 years and over
472
483


Total
514
546



  Source: Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland.

  Note: Data for 2007-08 is provisional.

  Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths in the NHS Dumfries and Galloway area were (a) alcohol and (b) drug-related and of these how many were of people aged (i) under 18, (ii) 18 to 29, (iii) 30 to 55 and (iv) over 55, from 1999 to 2008.

Nicola Sturgeon: The total numbers of alcohol-related deaths in NHS Dumfries and Galloway (1979-2007) are given in table 2 of the alcohol-related deaths website for the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS): 

  http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/deaths/alcohol-related-deaths/index.html.

  Numbers of alcohol-related deaths in NHS Dumfries and Galloway are shown in the following table, for the age-groups and years requested:

  Table 1: Alcohol-Related Deaths in the NHS Dumfries and Galloway area

  


17 and Under
18 to 29
30 to 55
56 and Over
All Ages


1999
-
*
7
8
*


2000
-
-
9
11
20


2001
-
-
11
12
23


2002
-
-
13
12
25


2003
-
*
9
21
*


2004
-
-
7
19
26


2005
-
-
10
21
31


2006
-
-
16
17
33


2007
-
-
15
13
28


2008
-
*
10
15
*



  Source: GROS.

  Note: *Numbers under five have not been shown, as these could be disclosive. – Zero. 2008 figures are provisional.

  The total numbers of drug-related deaths in NHS Dumfries and Galloway (1996 to 2007), are given in Table HB1 of Drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2007, published by GROS in August 2008:

  http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/drug-related-deaths/index.html.

  Figures for 2008 will be available in August 2009.

  Numbers of drug-related deaths in NHS Dumfries and Galloway are shown in the following table, for the age-groups and years requested:

  Table 2: Drug-Related Deaths in the NHS Dumfries and Galloway Area

  

 
17 and Under
18 to 29
30 to 55
56 and Over
All Ages


1999
-
*
*
*
7


2000
-
*
*
-
7


2001
-
6
*
*
*


2002
-
5
*
-
*


2003
-
*
5
-
*


2004
-
*
5
-
*


2005
-
*
*
-
*


2006
-
-
5
-
5


2007
-
6
*
-
*



  Source: GROS.

  Note: *Numbers under five have not been shown, as these could be disclosive. – Zero.

  Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people aged (a) under 15, (b) 15 to 18, (c) 19 to 21 and (d) over 21 were admitted to Borders General Hospital to receive treatment for excess alcohol consumption in (i) 2003-04, (ii) 2004-05, (iii) 2005-06, (iv) 2006-07 and (v) 2007-08.

Nicola Sturgeon: Information on patients admitted for excess alcohol consumption is not centrally available. However, information on patients admitted for all alcohol-related conditions has been provided instead.

  The number of patients discharged for all alcohol-related conditions, by the age groups and years specified, are shown in the following tables:

  Table 1: Number of patients discharged with an alcohol related diagnosis treated in Borders General hospital: 2003-04 to 2007-08:

  

Age group
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08


Under 15 yrs
23
14
17
16
15


15 - 18 yrs
35
22
34
40
54


19 - 21 yrs
14
22
15
26
29


21 yrs and over
328
350
358
438
453


Total
400
408
424
520
551



  Source: Information Services Division Scotland.

  Note: Data for 2007-08 is provisional.

  Table 2: Number of patients discharged from psychiatric hospitals and mental illness units with an alcohol-related diagnosis by age group; treated within Borders General Hospital 2003-04 to 2006-07.

  

Age Group
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
Total


Under 15 yrs
-
-
-
-
-


15 - 18 yrs
-
-
-
-
-


19 - 21 yrs
-
-
-
-
-


22 yrs and over
*
*
*
*
10



  Source: Information Services Division Scotland.

  Notes:

  Data for 2006-07 is provisional.

  A four year cumulative total has been provided in the final column.

  *The other values were not shown due to the potential risk of disclosure. – Zero.

Alcohol and Tobacco

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22174 by Shona Robison on 31 March 2009, whether it will provide an answer that specifically addresses the points raised in the question.

Shona Robison: In developing the provisions of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill we did look carefully at all aspects of the existing law in order to rationalise and update existing tobacco sales law which dates back to 1937. As alluded to in my answer to question S3W-22174 on 31 March 2009, the discussions we had with stakeholders during the review process did not reveal a strong desire for the creation of a new offence of underage purchase in relation to tobacco sales law. We, therefore, decided to maintain the status quo on age restrictions for purchasing tobacco.

  While this may seem inconsistent with alcohol licensing law, it is consistent with most other age-restricted products law (i.e. other than laws relating to alcohol and crossbows) where offences relate only to underage sale not underage purchase. However, as indicated in my answer to question S3W-22174, I would be open to discuss the matter with the member if she so wishes.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Ambulance Service

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many community first responders were working for the Scottish Ambulance Service as of 1 April 2009, broken down by division.

Shona Robison: The information requested is not held centrally.

  The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) website contains a section on first responders, link below, and further detail can be obtained by contacting SAS.

  http://www.scottishambulance.com/WorkingForUs/Volunteering/CommunityFirstResponder.aspx.

Charities

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it has monitored the implementation of charity legislation since the enactment of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and related secondary legislation and whether it proposes to make any changes to the legislation.

Fergus Ewing: Implementation of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 is monitored by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) who make recommendations of proposed changes to the Scottish Government. We have today published a consultation document which seeks views on the recommendations OSCR made in their 2007-08 Annual Report and Accounts. The consultation paper Proposals for Minor Amendments to the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 is available on the Scottish Government’s website at www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current.

  We also intend to include provisions in the Public Services Reform Bill, which is due to be introduced to Parliament later this year, which amend the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 to allow charities to provide all their trustees with indemnity insurance from charity funds.

Class Sizes

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to deliver reduced class sizes for primaries one, two and three to 18 pupils or fewer during the parliamentary session.

Keith Brown: Under the terms of the concordat local government will as quickly as is possible, reduce class sizes in P1 to P3 to a maximum of 18. Taking into account retirals, the capacity of the universities to train new teachers, changing demographic trends, and the different circumstances across authorities including accommodation pressures, it is recognised that the pace of implementation of class size reduction will vary across authorities depending on local circumstances and needs. Local government will be expected to show year-on-year progress toward delivery of the class size reduction policy.

Communities

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used to determine eligibility for the Rural Petrol Station Grant Scheme.

Richard Lochhead: Full responsibility for the Rural Petrol Stations Grant Scheme was passed to Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise from 1 April 2008. The eligibility criteria are, therefore, now a matter for the Enterprise Companies.

  Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many petrol stations have benefited from the Rural Petrol Station Grant Scheme in each year since 1999, broken down by parliamentary region.

Richard Lochhead: The numbers of petrol stations benefiting from the Rural Petrol Stations Grant Scheme between 1998-99 and 2007-08, by local authority area, are set out in the following table. The information is not held by parliamentary region. Full responsibility for the scheme was passed to Highlands and Island Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise from 1 April 2008. Information on the number of stations benefiting from that date is not held centrally.

  

Local Authority Area
1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08


Aberdeenshire
0
0
0
7
0
0
2
3
2
2


Aberdeen City
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Angus
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0


Argyll and Bute
2
0
3
4
0
1
3
5
2
3


City of Edinburgh
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Clackmannanshire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar
0
1
2
1
1
0
0
4
1
3


*Dumfries and Galloway
0
0
0
2
1
0
7
4
4
3


Dundee City 
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


East Ayrshire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0


East Dunbartonshire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


East Lothian
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


East Renfrewshire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Falkirk
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Fife
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Glasgow City 
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


*Highland
2
4
3
5
2
4
9
5
4
5


Inverclyde
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Midlothian
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Moray
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
0


North Ayrshire
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


North Lanarkshire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


*Orkney Islands
0
1
0
1
0
1
1
8
2
3


Perth and Kinross
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
1


Renfrewshire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Scottish Borders
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
1
1


*Shetland Islands
0
3
2
0
2
0
1
6
1
1


South Ayrshire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1


South Lanarkshire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1


Stirling
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0


West Dunbartonshire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


West Lothian
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Total
4
10
10
23
6
7
33
38
21
24

Drug and Alcohol Misuse

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths in the Scottish Borders were (a) alcohol and (b) drug related and of these how many were of people aged (i) under 18, (ii) 18 to 29, (iii) 30 to 55 and (iv) over 55, from 1999 to 2008.

Nicola Sturgeon: The total numbers of alcohol-related deaths in NHS Borders (1979 to 2007), are given in table 2 of the alcohol-related deaths section of the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) website  http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/deaths/alcohol-related-deaths/index.html.

  Numbers of alcohol-related deaths in the Scottish Borders are shown in the following table for the age-groups and years requested (1999 to 2008):

  Table 1: Alcohol-Related Deaths in the NHS Scottish Borders Area

  


17 and Under
18 to 29
30 to 55
56 and over
All Ages


1999
-
-
9
*
*


2000
-
*
*
5
10


2001
-
-
7
6
13


2002
-
-
6
13
19


2003
-
-
6
6
12


2004
*
*
7
13
*


2005
-
-
*
10
*


2006
-
-
*
5
9


2007
-
-
11
12
23


2008
-
-
*
6
*



  Source: GROS.

  *Numbers less than five have not been shown, as these could be disclosive. – Zero. 2008 figures are provisional.

  The total numbers of drug-related deaths in the NHS Borders (1996 to 2007) are shown in Table HB1 of Drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2007, published by GROS in August 2008 http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/drug-related-deaths/index.html.

  Numbers of drug-related deaths in NHS Borders age-groups and years requested (1999 to 2008) are shown in the following table:

  Table 2: Drug-Related Deaths in the NHS Scottish Borders Area

  

 
17 and under
18 to 29
30 to 55
56 and Over
All Ages


1999
-
-
-
-
-


2000
-
*
-
-
*


2001
-
-
*
-
*


2002
-
-
-
-
-


2003
-
-
*
*
*


2004
-
*
*
-
*


2005
-
*
*
-
7


2006
-
*
*
-
*


2007
-
*
*
-
*



  Source: GROS.

  Note: *Numbers less than five have not been shown, as these could be disclosive. – Zero.

Equal Pay

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities in connection with single status pay in the last 12 months.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with COSLA on a range of issues facing local authorities, including the costs of equal pay. The Scottish Government is not, and has not been, involved in discussions connected with the single status pay agreement which was negotiated between COSLA and the trade unions. The single status pay agreement is wholly a matter for COSLA and for local authorities as independent corporate bodies.

Financial Services Sector

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism has had with representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Group since November 2008; who was involved, and what the outcome was in each case.

Jim Mather: Since November 2008, in addition to my attendance at Financial Service Advisory Board meetings which are also attended by Lloyds Banking Group Executives. I attended an informal dinner on 10 November 2008 hosted by Magnus Linklater, Scottish Editor of The Times.

  Dr Andrew McLaughlin, Group Economist Royal Bank of Scotland also attended.

First Minister

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) officials and (b) special advisors will accompany the First Minister on his forthcoming trip to China and what budget has been allocated for the visit.

Michael Russell: The visit to China was made by the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning. In support of the two ministers there was a total of six officials and two special advisers. The costs for the visit programme will be met from within existing budgets allocated to supporting engagement with China; travel and subsistence costs will be met by the relevant Ministerial Private Office or, in the case of officials, divisional budget.

  George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the (a) officials and (b) special advisors accompanying the First Minister on his forthcoming trip to China are (i) travelling in advance of, (ii) travelling on the same flights as and (iii) returning subsequent to the First Minister and by how many days in each case for (i) and (iii).

Michael Russell: All of the officials and special advisors travelled with either the First Minister or the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, except for the Deputy Director of International Division, and the Head of Visits and Events, who travelled to Hong Kong two days and one day respectively in advance of the First Minister to ensure all arrangements on the ground were in place.

  George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) officials and (b) special advisers accompanying the First Minister on his forthcoming trip to China are flying (i) economy, (ii) economy plus, (iii) business and (iv) first class.

Michael Russell: All the delegation used a mixture of business class and economy class travel, in accordance with Scottish Government Travel and Subsistence rules.

  George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the First Minister has received from the Chinese Government ahead of his forthcoming visit to China.

Michael Russell: The First Minster and officials were in frequent contact with the Chinese Consulate General in Edinburgh in arranging the programme for his visit.

  George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the objectives are of the First Minister’s forthcoming visit to China.

Michael Russell: The objectives of the First Minister’s visit to China were set out in his letter of 27 January 2009 to the European and External Affairs Committee. Copies of this letter have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47920).

  George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the First Minister or his officials have had with UK ministers in the (a) Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (b) Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and (c) Scotland Office on the objectives of his forthcoming visit to China.

Michael Russell: Officials were in frequent contact with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office about the objectives of the First Minister’s visit, in particular through the First Secretary, Scottish Affairs based within the British Embassy in Beijing.

  George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the First Minister’s decision to visit China was taken.

Michael Russell: The invitation to visit China was extended to the First Minister by the Chinese Consul General in Edinburgh in 2007. The decision in principle to visit China was taken in 2008 and the dates confirmed in the letter the First Minister sent to the European and External Relations Committee on 27 January 2009. The First Minister’s visit was timed to build on and complement the visits to China by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Ms Hyslop, and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Economic Growth, Mr Swinney which both took place in 2008. The visit was also timed to take place after the busy Olympic and Paralympic Games period, as opportunities to discuss other business with the Chinese Government would have been limited during the games period.

  George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the First Minister’s travel to and from China was booked.

Michael Russell: Provisional bookings were made on 20 February 2009 and confirmed bookings were made on 6 March 2009.

  George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what public relations agencies have been engaged by it in (a) Scotland, (b) Hong Kong and (c) China to support the First Minister’s forthcoming visit to China and what budget has been allocated for each contract.

Michael Russell: No public relations agencies were engaged in Scotland.

  In Hong Kong, Communique were engaged by the Scottish Government as event managers for one evening reception. Event management and logistics support were provided for Scottish Development International (SDI) events in Hong Kong by Communique. Public relations support for business events and associated media outreach were provided through an existing SDI agreement with Edelman.

  In Mainland China, Edelman were engaged by the Scottish Government as event managers for a reception in Beijing and Shanghai, and to provide event management for a whisky-related media event in Shanghai. Public relations support for business events and associated media were provided through an existing SDI agreement with Edelman for Beijing and Shanghai events.

  In Hong Kong and in mainland China an estimated 1900 people were reached through direct participation in events during the visit. Ministerial media events in Hong Kong and mainland China were attended by around 200 media representatives, resulting in significant broadcast, print and online coverage, including interviews on Bloomberg TV, China Business Network TV and CCTV; print coverage in the South China Morning Post, China Daily, the Shanghai Financial News and the National Business Daily, and widespread web coverage. Potential audience reach from the Hong Kong and China media coverage so far is well in excess of 100 million. Media coverage in Scotland was also widespread and focussed on the key messages and announcements from the ministerial programmes.

  The costs for the visit programme will be met from within existing budgets allocated to supporting engagement with China.

Fisheries

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many boats are operated by independent fishermen who are not members of a fishing association.

Richard Lochhead: The information requested is not held centrally.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many fishermen each fishing association represents and whether such membership was a factor in deciding membership of inshore fisheries groups.

Richard Lochhead: The information requested is not held centrally. However, in terms of Fishermen’s Associations, membership of the Executive Committee of the inshore fisheries groups (IFG) is open to Fishermen’s Associations which represent 10 or more licensed and registered fishing vessels and any one of which fishes commercially in the IFG area.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the arrangements for representation of independent fishermen on inshore fisheries groups are sufficient.

Richard Lochhead: The arrangements for representation of independent fishermen on inshore fisheries groups are considered sufficient at present. Scottish ministers will regularly review the operation of pilot inshore fisheries groups to ensure that they fulfil their role and are properly inclusive.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is keeping the representational structure of inshore fisheries groups under review.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish ministers will regularly review the operation of pilot inshore fisheries groups to ensure that they fulfil their role and are properly inclusive.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether inshore fisheries groups will have the right to exclude boats from outwith their areas.

Richard Lochhead: Inshore Fisheries Groups (IFGs) will produce and implement fisheries management plans for their area. Scottish ministers will positively consider legislative proposals from IFGs in their management plans when they have been developed in line with the national and local objectives for inshore fisheries and consulted upon in an open, inclusive and transparent way. Discrimination on the grounds of residence of a vessel owner would not be a legitimate basis for fisheries management.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to monitor the impact of the closure of Loch Torridon to certain fishing interests.

Richard Lochhead: Fisheries Research Services (now Marine Scotland: Science) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have undertaken, respectively, biological and environmental studies of the segregated fisheries zones in the Inner Sound of Raasay, including in Loch Torridon. The Marine Scotland: Science Report is available online; the SNH Reports will be published soon. Whilst Marine Scotland does not plan currently to undertake further focused monitoring in Loch Torridon, some locations in the area will be surveyed periodically as part of wider stock surveys. Additionally, the emerging North West Inshore Fisheries Group will be well placed to consider the need for further work in the area, should that fit with its management planning generally and subject to available resources.

  http://www.frs-scotland.gov.uk/FRS.Web/Uploads/Documents/IR1608.pdf.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the closure of Loch Torridon to certain fishing interests has proved to be beneficial; what the principal benefits are, and what evidence supports its conclusion.

Richard Lochhead: As part of the zonal fisheries management arrangements in the Inner Sound of Raasay, the closure of Loch Torridon has put an end to the intense gear conflict that existed between the static and mobile sectors in the area pre-2001. The closure has provided an opportunity to study, in isolation from other types of fishing activity, the biological and environmental impact of nephrops creeling. Marine Scotland’s research suggests that the closure’s impact on stock levels appears to be neutral, as measured by Fisheries Research Services up to 2006.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any monitoring of the effects of closing Loch Torridon to certain fishing interests takes account of any displaced pressure on other fisheries and what it considers the impact of that displaced pressure to be.

Richard Lochhead: The reports, as described in answer to the question S3W-22460 on 27 April 2009, did not consider the issue of fishing effort being displaced elsewhere as a result of the closure.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the arrangements for the closure of Loch Torridon to certain fishing interests.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland does not plan currently to review the arrangements for the closure of Loch Torridon to mobile fishing gear. The emerging North West Inshore Fisheries Group may wish, however, to review the management arrangements in the Torridon area, should that fit with its planning priorities and best use of available resources.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors prawn landings from the Minch.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland Fishery Officers monitor nephrops landings.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the health of prawn stocks and whether changes are proposed to such monitoring arrangements.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland’s monitoring programme for Nephrops includes conducting annual underwater TV surveys of abundance for the main Scottish fishery grounds, as well as regular sampling of commercial catches to obtain length composition data. Both sources of information are fed into the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) stock assessment process. In the absence of formal analytic assessments, ICES considers that the underwater TV surveys are the best available indicators of stock trends and uses them to draw conclusions on stock levels.

  No major changes to the monitoring arrangements are proposed: the survey approach and design have recently been reviewed by ICES and are considered to be the best option for monitoring stocks at present.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is agreement between the Scottish Government and the European Union on the best means of monitoring the health of prawn stocks.

Richard Lochhead: The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea’s (ICES) advice on Nephrops stocks is produced through a combination of data from underwater TV surveys, landings data and discard sampling. The European Commission and the Scottish Government recognise this as the most authoritative advice available on stock levels.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) volume and (b) weight of prawn catches in Loch Torridon was in each of the last 10 years.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has concerns about the volume and weight of prawn catches in Loch Torridon or any trends in such catches.

Richard Lochhead: Information on nephrops landings is not routinely collected at the level of detail requested.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of changes in the number of creels used in Loch Torridon and the Minch.

Richard Lochhead: We have received information from some fishermen of increased creel fishing activity in the Minch, including Loch Torridon.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the number of creels being used in inshore fisheries.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government does not monitor the number of creels used in inshore fisheries.

  Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that prawn stocks will be adversely affected by a significant increase in the number of active creels in the Minch generally and in Loch Torridon in particular.

Richard Lochhead: We would expect a detrimental impact on a stock where removals due to fishing exceed the regenerative capacity of that stock. In the case of the North and South Minch, however, the most recent ICES advice is that overall stocks appear to be stable.

Forensic Science

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had regarding the implications for Scotland of the closure of the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government has discussed with the Scottish Police Services Authority’s Forensic Service the implications for Scotland of the closure of the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners. It will have no impact on the ability of forensic practitioners to give expert evidence in court.

  Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on any proposals to replace the functions of the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners.

Kenny MacAskill: The Forensic Science Regulator for England and Wales has published and is consulting on draft quality standards for forensic services. The Scottish Government is considering, along with key stakeholders, whether this standard is appropriate for use in Scotland.

  Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects a decision to be made on the future delivery of forensic laboratory services.

Kenny MacAskill: The delivery of forensic science services is a matter for the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA). The SPSA announced on 3 April 2009 that it is developing a national model for the delivery of forensic science services. The SPSA will consult the police service and the wider criminal justice system on these proposals. They expect to begin this process later this spring with a view to completing this engagement within six months. The Scottish Government will carefully consider any proposals put forward by the SPSA following the development of its national model on the future delivery of forensic science.

Health

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that individuals and communities are key stakeholders in public health.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Health Council monitors progress and ensures that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. Boards must be able to demonstrate continual improvement in involving patients and the public in service developments and in so doing are expected to follow the principles and practice outlined in Communities Scotland’s National Standards for Community Engagement.

  The Government’s Better Health Better Care Action Plan also gave a commitment to develop a Participation Standard for all NHS boards covering future involvement of patients, staff and the public more generally. This Standard will be developed in forthcoming months by the Scottish Health Council in consultation with NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, Public Partnership Forums and other groups including staff representatives.

  In addition the government operates a strategic partnership with Voluntary Health Scotland, which aims to strengthen effective engagement between health services and the Third Sector.

  With regard to health inequalities, the "Equally Well" test sites, which are helping to deliver on the priorities outlined by the Health Inequalities Task Force, are focused on delivering a wide range of services which can meet the needs of the most deprived and vulnerable communities by engaging with local communities during the planning and redesign of services.

  Specific public health initiatives, such as the Tobacco Prevention Action Plan and the Framework for Action on alcohol misuse, have been subject to major public consultations which have been the focus of considerable public debate and attracted responses from a wide range of constituencies across Scotland. These have helped shape the development of these initiatives and the way in which they are delivered.

  Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recommendations from the Health for All Children 4: Guidance on Implementation in Scotland report have been implemented in all NHS board areas.

Shona Robison: We are aware of variations in the implementation of certain aspects of Health for all Children across NHS board areas. However, the Scottish Government is currently working with NHS boards through the Hall 4 Implementation Network to address the variation. We hope to issue further advice on aspects of Hall 4 to boards in late 2009.

  Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS board areas have an orthoptist pre-school screening programme in place.

Shona Robison: A pre-school screening programme is in place in NHS Ayrshire and Arran; NHS Borders; NHS Dumfries and Galloway; NHS Fife; in two areas in NHS Forth Valley; in all areas in NHS Grampian by end of May 2009; NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; in two areas in NHS Highland; NHS Lanarkshire; in one area in NHS Lothian, and in two areas of NHS Tayside.

  Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to have an orthoptist pre-school screening programme in every NHS board area.

Shona Robison: A date has not been specified. The NHS boards who have not yet introduced an orthoptist pre-school screening programme are working towards doing so, or towards introducing a programme supervised by an orthoptist or an optometrist.

Homelessness

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each local authority area in the South of Scotland parliamentary region have been housed in temporary accommodation in each year since 2006.

Alex Neil: The information requested is in the following table. The table shows, for each local authority area in the South of Scotland parliamentary region, the number of households in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter having been placed there during a homelessness application or as an outcome of the application.

  Households in Temporary Accommodation at the End of Each Quarter During 2006, 2007 and 2008

  

Local Authority Area
2006


31 March
30 June
30 September
31 December


Dumfries and Galloway
238
242
238
253


North Ayrshire
172
161
179
174


East Ayrshire
100
119
89
92


East Lothian
188
184
216
175


Midlothian
131
153
185
204


Scottish Borders
46
46
60
77


South Ayrshire
212
219
217
206


South Lanarkshire
432
367
315
319



  

Local Authority Area
2007


31 March
30 June
30 September
31 December


Dumfries and Galloway
262
263
240
250


North Ayrshire
184
184
188
214


East Ayrshire
99
87
82
90


East Lothian
192
180
188
203


Midlothian
310
225
167
160


Scottish Borders
86
91
92
110


South Ayrshire
234
244
249
233


South Lanarkshire
365
387
368
376



  

Local Authority Area
2008


31 March
30 June
30 September
31 December


Dumfries and Galloway
277
284
303
281


North Ayrshire
246
249
253
244


East Ayrshire
107
106
91
118


East Lothian
207
204
225
237


Midlothian
195
290
317
296


Scottish Borders
120
115
87
101


South Ayrshire
224
220
248
247


South Lanarkshire
383
415
412
400

Housing

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received identifying a loophole in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 2000 relating to problems being experienced by residents and communities in Edinburgh as a result of holiday lets.

Alex Neil: We have received letters from three Members of the Scottish Parliament claiming that there is a loophole in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 2000, in that the regulatory regime established by that Order does not cover holiday lets.

  In fact, the system of licensing of houses in multiple occupation is a regulatory regime with conditions designed to protect tenants whose principal or only residence is a multiply-occupied house. The legislation was not designed to cover holiday lets.

  Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that the Dunfermline Building Society continues to play a key role in supporting the provision of affordable housing.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government, through regular dialogue with HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the social housing sector, is doing all that it can within its powers to ensure that any future owner of the social housing loan portfolio will continue to lend actively to the sector and honour existing loan commitments and facilities.

  Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary to question S3O-4497 by John Swinney on 9 October 2008 (Official Report c. 11700), what progress ministers have made in supporting North Lanarkshire Council and Cumbernauld Housing Partnership address the exceptional investment requirements of Cumbernauld’s high-rise flats.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government has been working closely with North Lanarkshire Council and Cumbernauld Housing Partnership to identify a preferred way forward in addressing the problems of the Cumbernauld multi-storey flats, and has agreed, in principle, to provide top sliced resources in respect of funding to buy out the owner occupiers within the blocks and to provide replacement shared equity properties.

  Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consult on a housing Bill.

Alex Neil: We have today published the Draft Housing (Scotland) Bill: a consultation which invites comments on our proposals to safeguard the future of Scotland’s social housing, by reforming the Right to Buy, and improve the value that tenants and taxpayers get from social housing, by modernising how social housing is regulated. Copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47931). We are considering whether the Housing Bill should also include provisions on private sector housing and will consult separately on that possibility during the summer.

Justice

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought the views of community and marching organisations on the implementation of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 and the guidance to local authorities issued in December 2006.

Kenny MacAskill: A Consultation into Marches and Parades was conducted in summer 2008, to assess the first year of implementation of the changes to the law and practice on marches and parades, introduced by the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006, and associated Guidance to Local Authorities.

  Information was collected from communities, marching organisations, local authorities and police. A report on the responses received was published on 25 February 2009 and can be accessed at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/02/24150258/0.

  Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from Dumfries and Galloway Council that traditional galas, common ridings, ridings of the marches and Remembrance Day parades in Dumfries and Galloway should be exempted from notification under the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 and, if so, when it intends to reply.

Kenny MacAskill: Dumfries and Galloway Council wrote to me on 18 November 2008 requesting exemption of Common Ridings, Gala Day Parades, Fun Day Parades and other similar community events and Remembrance Day Parades from notification.

  I replied to the council on 22 April 2009.

  Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the change in the national objectives and standards for social work services in the criminal justice system that will require offenders sentenced to community service to commence work within seven days will be complete.

Kenny MacAskill: Following extensive consultation with the Association of Directors of Social Work, revised guidance for the operation of Community Service schemes, which reflects the need for work placements to commence within seven working days of imposition of the order, was issued at the end of February. This is being followed up with a series of staff training events across Scotland. Local authorities will be required to implement the new guidance with effect from the start of June.

  Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving local authorities who are experiencing difficulties meeting the current level of demand for community service orders.

Kenny MacAskill: As part of the 2009-10 funding settlement for Community Justice Authorities an additional £1 million has been provided to reflect the increased numbers of community service orders. This is additional to the extra £1 million announced last October to assist local authorities in improving delivery standards for community service.

  Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 24 October 2008 of £1 million additional funding to deliver speedier community penalties, whether it intends to provide further funding to allow community justice authorities to (a) deliver speedier community sentences and (b) cope with an increased number of community sentences.

Kenny MacAskill: The government has already invested an additional £2 million in the current year to support local authorities’ increased workload on community penalties and to help them to deliver community service orders which start – and finish – much more quickly.

  Our assumptions on the cost of introducing the more robust and flexible Community Payback Order are set out in the Financial Memorandum to the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill.

  Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 24 October 2008 of £1 million additional funding to deliver speedier community penalties, whether it considers that community justice authorities will require additional funding to (a) deliver speedier community sentences and (b) cope with an increased number of community sentences.

Kenny MacAskill: The government has already invested an additional £2 million in the current year to support local authorities’ increased workload on community penalties and to help them to deliver community service orders which start – and finish – much more quickly.

  Our assumptions on the cost of introducing the more robust and flexible Community Payback Order are set out in the Financial Memorandum to the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill.

Livestock

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it intends to hold regarding the sheep electronic identification scheme legislation.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government will hold a public consultation on sheep electronic identification prior to its introduction on 1 January 2010.

  Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what flexibility will be available to crofters and farmers regarding the implementation of the sheep electronic identification scheme.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish and UK Governments have previously secured flexibility within the Regulation that will aid implementation. We have secured the delayed introduction of electronic identification until 31 December 2009 and have delayed the introduction of individual movement reporting until 31 December 2010. We have also agreed that animals born before 31 December 2009 and moving directly to slaughter will not have to be individually recorded at all. The Scottish Government is continuing to work with the Commission and the other UK government departments to examine possible further flexibility measures within the Regulation that will reduce the implementation burden for all of Scotland’s sheep industry.

  Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will make available to the agricultural industry to meet the additional costs of implementing the sheep electronic identification scheme.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has made available up to £3 million on a large scale electronic research pilot which has the aim of finding workable and cost effective solutions for implementation in Scotland.

  Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations ministers have received from farming industry representatives regarding on-going support to maintain a national scheme for dealing with fallen stock.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish ministers have heard representations from Farming industry representatives seeking support for the collection and disposal of fallen sheep in Scotland at lambing time next year. Ministers are currently considering their response.

  Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate has been made of the costs of maintaining a national scheme for dealing with fallen stock.

Richard Lochhead: No estimate has been made by Scottish ministers of the cost of maintaining a national scheme for dealing with fallen stock. A variety of commercial disposal routes are available to farmers in most parts of Scotland, such as rendering or incineration, or collection by a knackery or hunt kennel. Farmers can also join the National Fallen Stock Company, which operates through existing collectors throughout mainland Scotland. Where a commercial collection service is not available, such as on most Scottish islands, flexibilities exist within the regulations to permit on farm disposal by burial or open burning.

Local Income Tax

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its latest thinking is on whether people living in England but working in Scotland would be required to pay a Scottish local income tax.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government intends to bring forward legislation to introduce a fairer local tax based on ability to pay in the next session of Parliament. We will continue to develop our thinking in the interim but our March 2008 consultation paper set out the basis on which people will be liable to pay the tax.

Mental Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to identify mental health issues in children under five.

Shona Robison: We are working with NHS boards and their partners to deliver the recommendations made in The Mental Health of Children and Young People: A Framework for Promotion, Prevention and Care (Bib. number 38415). This includes a specific commitment to ensuring that frontline staff in primary care, education and the voluntary sector have a basic knowledge and education of mental health issues in young children.

  We have also developed the Early Years Framework (Bib. number 47084) to ensure that support is in place to promote children’s emotional wellbeing and help those who are finding things difficult.

  The Early Years Framework builds on our existing commitment to Getting it Right for Every Child that has a core component of streamlining planning, assessment and decision-making processes to ensure the right help is delivered at the right time for young people at risk.

  Furthermore, our soon to be published policy and action plan for mental health improvement – Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland – also includes a focus on the mental health of infants, children and young people.

NHS Staff

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees earn less than £7 per hour in each NHS board area within the Highlands and Islands parliamentary region.

The Executive have supplied the following corrected answer:

  Nicola Sturgeon: From 1 April 2009 only pay points 1 and 2 under the terms of the UK wide Agenda for Change agreement fall bellow the rate of £7 per hour. Pay point 1 is £6.76 per hour and pay point 2 is £6.94 per hour. Both are significantly above the national minimum wage.

  Current numbers of employees receiving either pay point 1 or 2 within the Highlands and Islands health board areas are as follows:

  

Health Board
Total No of Employees at 30.09.08(excl. GPs and GDPs)
Number of Employees onPay Points 1 and 2


Highland
8,825
569


Orkney
587
28


Shetland
569
0


Western Isles
1,063
26


Total
11,044
623



  Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive which of its chief officers has responsibility for NHS psychologists.

Nicola Sturgeon: The responsibility for the regulation of NHS psychologists lies within the CMO Directorate who ensure that they comply with UK standards of practice. NHS boards, as employers of psychologists, have direct employee responsibilities. Psychologists also contribute to the work done within the Scottish Government’s Mental Health Division in developing and implementing policy and improving psychology services.

  Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote (a) the retention of knowledge and skills of older nurses in the nursing workforce and (b) more applications to nursing programs.

Nicola Sturgeon: We are committed to maximising the skills and expertise of all staff in NHSScotland, including those in the ageing workforce. We are currently funding with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the South East (NHS) Education Forum, research on the ageing workforce to determine what NHSScotland can do to recruit and retain those in this section of the workforce, of which nursing is a large part.

  Workforce planning is well established in NHSScotland and a National Workforce Planning Framework is in place to support and assist NHS boards in planning their future workforce needs, taking into account current supply and future demand. A nursing workforce planning model is in place at national level to determine the need for student nurses to meet future demand and takes into account the workforce characteristics of the current nursing supply. NHS boards should also factor the age profile of their staff groups into their own workforce planning processes.

  This planning model for determining the need of student nurses is undertaken annually and Scottish Government Health Directorates (SGHD) then set targets for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to recruit the required numbers of students. This process aims to ensure that we continue to have sufficient nurses and midwives to support health service delivery across Scotland. In addition, supported by a £5 million investment, SGHD is currently working with HEIs, service leads and Partnership colleagues to support a range of initiatives designed to link the marketing of nursing and midwifery careers, enhanced student retention, robust selection of high quality candidates, retention and progression on pre-registration programmes.

Nutrition

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the national food and drink policy workstream, Walking the Talk, last met.

Richard Lochhead: The national food and drink policy development workstream Walking the Talk last met on 13 March 2009.

  Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the national food and drink policy workstream, Walking the Talk, last published a report on its progress.

Richard Lochhead: Minutes of the meetings of the national food and drink policy workstream Walking the Talk are available on the Scottish Government website - the latest being 13 March 2009.

  Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have been made to public sector food procurement procedures since the national food and drink policy workstream, Walking the Talk, was created in August 2008.

Richard Lochhead: The chair responsible for providing recommendations on the workstream Walking the Talk is producing a report and recommendations which I will consider in taking forward any changes with regards to public procurement.

Older People

Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered a reduced entry fee scheme to gyms at non-peak hours for people over 60.

Shona Robison: We are aware that subsidised access to leisure facilities, including gyms for particular groups including the over 60s is provided locally across Scotland. For example Edinburgh have a leisure card for the over 60s which for a one off cost of £15 allows the holder to access at a reduced cost, a range of activities.

Police

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many special constables there have been in each year since 1999, broken down by police force.

Kenny MacAskill: Special constables in Scotland, available strength as at 31 March, 1999 to 2008.

  

Force
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008


Central Scotland
62
60
53
55
70
75
100
128
131
107


Dumfries and Galloway
187
160
131
96
95
106
87
87
115
93


Fife
102
98
108
99
101
119
118
126
143
134


Grampian
121
120
120
121
91
108
150
147
159
152


Lothian and Borders 
198
178
151
113
81
53
75
116
160
172


Northern
482
230
227
211
202
267
246
242
240
237


Strathclyde
310
334
334
302
240
265
257
315
342
323


Tayside
189
156
136
122
111
108
122
159
372
176


Scotland
1,651
1,336
1,260
1,119
991
1,101
1,155
1,320
1,662
1,394



  Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what role it sees for special constables in its plans to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.

Kenny MacAskill: All Scottish Police Forces value the commitment of their Special Constables and continue to invest in recruiting, training and developing the special constabulary. Working alongside regular officers, their local knowledge and awareness of neighbourhood issues is invaluable in dealing with antisocial behaviour as we all strive to make our communities safer and stronger.

  The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) is committed to further enhancing the role that special constables play and is currently developing national standards for the constabulary which will provide improved focus for forces in managing and deploying special constables to best effect. The overall strategy is one of continued expansion and harmonisation with regular officers.

Prescriptions

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in Fife purchased a prescription pre-payment certificate in (a) 2004-05, (b) 2005-06, (c) 2006-07, (d) 2007-08 and have purchased one in 2008-09.

Shona Robison: The number of prescription pre-payment certificates (PPCs) purchased in the Fife Health Board area for the years in question are provided in the following table:

  

Length of PPC
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09


Four month PPCs 
8,089
8,687
9,356
9,469
21,169


Twelve month PPCs
3,313
3,291
3,182
2,154
4,295


Total
11,402
11,978
12,538
11,623
25,464

Schools

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21881 by Keith Brown on 26 March 2009, whether it agrees that there has been no increase in the percentage of pupils in primaries one to three in classes of size 18 or less in Dumfries and Galloway between 2006 and 2008.

Keith Brown: The percentage of primary one to primary three pupils in classes of 18 or fewer rose in Dumfries and Galloway from 15.1% in 2007 to 18.1% in 2008. In 2006 the equivalent figure was 18.2%.

  Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21886 by Keith Brown on 27 March 2009, whether it is aware that the decision to procure replacement buildings for Lincluden, Cargenbridge and Troqueer primary schools via traditional procurement methods was taken by the education and community services committee of Dumfries and Galloway Council on 27 June 2006 and, if so, on what basis it considers that the current administration commissioned these schools.

Keith Brown: Further information supplied by Dumfries and Galloway Council confirms that the committee in question, under the current council administration, took material decisions on 20 November 2007 completely to change the funding strategy for these schools, and on 29 January 2008 to determine the final scope of the project and the funding arrangements. Thereafter, I understand that it was the decision of the Finance Sub Committee on 7 February 2008, giving its approval to the overall package, which paved the way for contract signature and the commencement of construction at these three schools.

Student Finance

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21912 by Fiona Hyslop on 23 March 2009, whether it expects the declining rate of inflation to result in a lower rate of interest for students repaying debt to the Student Loans Company.

Fiona Hyslop: The current declining rate of inflation will result in a lower rate of interest in 2009-10 for those repaying debt to the Student Loans Company.

  Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21912 by Fiona Hyslop on 23 March 2009, what effect it expects a negative inflation rate to have on the rate of interest for students repaying debt to the Student Loans Company.

Fiona Hyslop: Scottish minters are currently discussing the implications of negative inflation on student loan interest rates with other administrations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in order to agree a way forward.

Teachers

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to the SNP manifesto pledge to maintain teacher numbers at 2007 levels.

Keith Brown: Under the terms of the concordat sufficient resource was provided to maintain teacher numbers at 2007 levels for the purpose of reducing class sizes.

  Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to maintain teacher numbers at 2007 levels.

Keith Brown: Under the terms of the concordat sufficient funding has been provided to maintain teacher numbers at 2007 levels. The Scottish Government has regular meetings with the Convention of Scottish Local authorities to discuss progress on concordat commitments.

Waste Management

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has directed any local authority to introduce a fortnightly collection of non-recyclable household refuse.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has not directed any local authority to introduce fortnightly collections of residual household waste.

  Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has directed any local authority to introduce the alternate weekly collection of non-recyclable and recyclable household refuse.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has not directed any local authority to introduce alternate weekly collection of non-recyclable and recyclable household waste.

  Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any recommendations by the Health and Safety Executive on the storage of domestic refuse for collection by local authorities.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is not aware of any recommendations made by the Health and Safety Executive on the storage of household waste for collection by local authorities.

  Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to legislate to make site waste management plans mandatory within the construction industry for projects over £300,000, as is the case in England.

Richard Lochhead: The Climate Change (Scotland) Bill, currently under consideration by the Parliament, would give Scottish ministers a power to make regulations requiring the preparation of waste prevention and management plans, and compliance with them. As the Policy and Financial Memoranda to the Bill indicate, a possible use for these powers would be to require site waste management plans similar to those now required in England.

  Decisions about the exercise of any powers the Parliament grants through the waste reduction and recycling provisions of the Bill will be made in due course, and in the light of circumstances prevailing at the time.